LANSING, Mich. (July 11, 2024) — On June 27, 2024, the Michigan Legislature successfully passed the budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2025, which is set to begin on October 1, 2024. Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) worked closely with her colleagues to negotiate and deliver historic budget investments that not only uplift the residents of the 6th Senate District, but also foster equitable opportunity for all Michigan residents.
“It has been an incredible honor to successfully craft and pass another historic state budget that will make such a tangible impact on the lives of Michiganders far and wide,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “From bolstering our local economies to expanding access to affordable housing, the passage of this budget demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering real solutions for the good of our state and its diverse communities.”
Sen. Cavanagh was proud to put the hardworking residents of Senate District 6 first and foremost in her budget negotiations, securing unprecedented investments for her local community, which include:
- $2 million for Starfish Family Services in Brightmoor neighborhood
- $1 million for City of Livonia fire equipment
- $1.5 million to Wilson-Clark Detroit Health & Healing Center
- $1.5 million to Zekelman Holocaust Center
- $1 million for Detroit’s Developing KIDS after school programming
- $3 million for Redford water infrastructure improvements
- $2 million for Detroit Parks infrastructure, accessibility, and programming
- $150,000 to Redford’s Downtown Development Authority
- $200,000 to Farmington Schools tutoring support
- $250,000 to Detroit Police Athletic League
- $2 million for Invest Detroit senior housing
- $2 million for Redford lead service line replacement
- $1 million for Detroit Blight Busters neighborhood block grants
- $100,000 for Kirsten’s Touch foster care transition programming
- $1.5 million to the City of Detroit’s Right to Counsel eviction diversion
- $1.5 million for Detroit Rescue Mission addiction and homelessness prevention
- $5 million for the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency expansion
Leading the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), Chair Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) worked tirelessly to secure budget investments that support our economy, promote workforce development, lower costs, improve government accessibility, and protect Michigan consumers. Notable investments from these state department budgets include:
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity:
- $100 million to improve housing affordability by supporting regional housing projects and grant programs, including down payment assistance grants.
- $60 million to the Michigan Innovation Fund to help support startup business activities.
- $45.5 million to address current and future workforce needs and population growth through programming and grants.
- $18 million for grants to museums that support artistic, scientific, technological, or cultural exhibitions.
- $10 million to establish a grant program that supports minority-owned businesses or nonprofits.
- $3 million for Small Business Development Match Funding.
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs:
- $5 million for renewable energy and electrification infrastructure grants to businesses, nonprofits, and local governments.
- $5 million to offer credit enhancement tools to incentivize lending to consumers at lower rates and under better terms for renewable energy improvement loans.
- $250,000 to fund a Health Sector Implicit Bias Study aimed at improving access and equity in delivery of health care services.
Department of Insurance and Financial Services:
-
$1.3 million to support department staffing increases to address increased insurance workloads and provide faster results for insured Michiganders
-
$600,000 for auto insurance customer service, supporting outreach and education efforts related to auto insurance and accident care claims.
Senate Democrats also prioritized statewide investments that build up Michigan’s infrastructure, housing, education, resiliency, public safety, and so much more. Some budget wins that Sen. Cavanagh was proud to support include:
- Continuing to fund free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students.
- Creating and strengthening pathways to affordable housing and homeownership through supportive housing services, eviction diversion, down payment assistance, and home repair grants.
- Investing extra support and resources for at-risk students, special education, and second language learners statewide.
- Building up Michigan’s infrastructure through investments in our roads, bridges, and clean water.
- Supporting renewable energy and electrification infrastructure.
- Creating education opportunities for more students statewide by expanding access to the Michigan Reconnect program, providing tuition-free community college for ages 21 and up.
- Increasing funding and long-term investment in the safety of our communities, including police, fire, violence intervention, and other public safety services.
- Improving childcare costs and supporting maternal and infant health services.
- Developing Michigan’s economy through small business supports, CDFIs, and the Michigan Innovation Fund supporting startups and entrepreneurs.
- Revitalizing investment in arts and culture, museums, symphonies, zoos, and cultural corridors.